14

Name: Vindictus

Race: Human

Class: Ranger

Sub-class: Archer

Level: 10 EXP: 4500/4500

EXP Pot: 9500

Health: 229/229

Mana: 195/195

Strength 23

Vitality 21

Agility 24 [Bracers +1]

Dexterity 16 [Bracers +1]

Intelligence 15

Speed 22 [Boots +1]

Luck 28 [Ring +5]

Charisma 13

Points available: 2

Skill Points: 6

[Boost Summon – Level 2]

[Harvester Skill – Level 3]

[Alchemy – Level 1]

[Smithing – Level 3]

[Leatherworking – Level 4]

[Eagle Eye – Level 1]

[Power Shot – Level 3]

Vindictus started back towards the town when he got yet another notification, this time it was a new title.

[Title Awarded: Dungeon Delver

This title is awarded to the first player to solo clear both a hard mode dungeon as well as a hard mode hidden dungeon. Player is awarded +2 to all stats, +50 gold, +5000 reputation in the region, +500 reputation in the world. This title also grants the player a 10% exp and loot drop in all dungeons and when it is a first clear of a dungeon, they will get triple exp and drops.]

Vindictus had never heard of this title and he knew that the person that had it kept it a secret and why they kept it a secret. This was a title that could alter the path of an individual hell even a guild in the future of the game. If anyone knew about this, they would offer him huge amounts of benefits and support to join them. He would have to keep this a secret for now. Once he was stronger, he would think about revealing it but only to the guild that he started.

Vindictus checked the leader board and saw that the top revealed players were all between upper 7 and lower 8 so he set his character at mid-level 7 so that no one would link him to the top player. The key way that now he had to come into the city from a different location. If anyone connected the crypt with the cemetery at the south of the town, they would link it to him and he did not want that yet. As he walked, he saw a group of players with torches headed towards the cemetery. They were quicker than he thought and darted to the left towards the western side of the city. One of them, probably an archer with eagle vision, spotted him as he ran.

"Boss I think that is the guy." He pointed towards Vindictus' form running to the west.

"Don't worry about him. Now that he has opened up the dungeon and showed that a single player can do it even on hard mode it should be no issue for us to clear it on hell mode. We will go in two groups since all beginner dungeons are five-man dungeons. Remember that when the announcement asks you put the guild name as the party name. The guilds are not available yet but it will set us up for the future."

The man that was the leader of the second group just smiles. "I am not an idiot. I know what to do or did you forget that I am your twin and the smarter twin at that."

"Just shut up and let's go."

After some quick thought Vindictus continued all the way to the north of the city and thought he would go and help out the kids he met earlier. The temple would be open all night but the sister that was working only worked the day and the tannery that needed the minerals was closed for the night. This was not an old open world game where you could walk in and wake them up. They would set the guards on your for breaking in and then you would not only fail the quest you were working on you would also never get another quest from that particular NPC again.

Vindictus messaged Brick who was still online. "I am not done with the mission but I can't do any more tonight, would you like some assistance?"

"Of course. We are at the spot that you recommended."

"Be there shortly." Vindictus kept up the pace and soon saw the northern gate. As he got closer, he could see the four of them were working together to face a small pack of wolves. Brick was already using what Vindictus had told him and was holding all the aggro while also attacking. "I am here, invite me to the group. I do not want to steal the exp on accident."

Brick called out. "Wall Flower send Invictus and invite." Immediately Vindictus go the invite. He hit accept and started sending arrows at the wolves. The problem was that with his new bow he could one shot the wolves and the group would not learn anything. Also, this game was set up so that exp was split by the AI on contributions. Before he thought about it all the wolves were dead with one arrow each. The four other members of the group turned and looked at him.

"My apologies. I got a new bow and I did not realize that the damage would be this high on it. I will switch back to my old bow and we can continue or I can leave the group and step in when there is trouble."

Wall Flower was quickest to respond. "Please stay. You can either use your old bow or only use you new bow when we are in big trouble. If you would be willing to give us advice, we would all greatly appreciate it."

"I would be happy to help you. I will stay back and offer advice for now and if something comes up, like an alpha or something then I will step in." As he looked again, he realized that this was a really balanced group. They had a Wall Flower the healer, Frigid a mage, Knocking Heads a DPS swordsman called a blade master, and Brick who was a guardian. With the right leadership he thought that he could take this group through the hell mode of the dean family dungeon. But for now, he needed to see how they worked together.

It was funny to him that the names told him more about them than anything. Frigid was trying to become an ice mage and had taken Ice Spike as their first level free spell. Knocking Heads was using a huge two-handed hammer, the blade master was a class that covered the use of all two-handed weapons, even after a decade the developers had never bothered to change the name since 90% of them used a great-sword. Wall Flower stayed in the back and cast heal from time to time and tried to stay out of the way. It was an interesting how much the names reflected their personality. Left one to wonder about someone who named themselves vengeance, maybe he was thinking too much.

Vindictus looked at them. "You guys get ready I will go and lore another small pack over for you guys."

"Thanks." Brick got himself set and checked the cool down on all of his skills and was ready to go.

Vindictus jogged off and found a pack of wolves and threw a rock at them to get their attention. The wolved quickly ran after him and he kept just in front of them. With the huge boost to his speed with his title he was easily able to keep the wolves at a distance. He saw the group and kept his pace steady. "Brink use Taunt now."

Brink instantly used the skill that he was told to use and the wolves instantly started towards him. Knocking Heads started to move forward. "You guys hold on for just a few more seconds. The last wolf was not engaged with Brick. "Now." Knocking heads darted forward and started attacking with his hammer.

"Frigid, pick one of the wolves that Knocking is not attacking and focus on it. Careful Knocking you are going to OT and pull aggro if you are not careful. Brick do you have War Cry yet?"

"I have not found it and the one guy selling it in town wanted too much for it."

"Okay. Knocking heads in about five seconds you are going to need to drop back for a few. Also, Wall don't wait until Brick's health get below half. Don't forget your casting time. Try to figure out the rate at which his heath is falling and then balance that with your cast time. That way he never gets into the danger zone and you are efficient in your healing."

"Got it. I will try that." Wall Flower went into casting and used Heal on Brick. The problem was that it was too much and it pulled the aggro of a few of the wolves. They quickly broke off from Brick and headed towards Wall Flower.

Knocking Heads reacted quickly and jumped in front and attacked one of the wolves. Vindictus sent an arrow at the other wolf and dropped it to the ground. It may have had a few hit points but Frigid finished it off with an ice bolt.

By this time Brick had his Taunt skill available an called out. "Knocking fall back my skill is ready." Knocking Heads backed off in the direction of Brick so that he could pull the aggro on all of them. Once the skill was activated, they quickly finished off the remaining wolves before the skill wore off.

They all gathered around Vindictus. "Not bad guys not bad. If you work on a few things and get a few complimenting skills to go with what you have you will be very dangerous."